The people of Smithville continue to pick up the pieces following an EF-2 tornado that ripped through their small town Monday night. But not only are residents incredibly grateful, but also gleaming with pride.
"Our community, whenever there is a need, they are always stepping up,” said Smithville mayor Brian Fullmer.
Although the tornado damaged roughly 120-130 local homes, completely destroying 6-8 of them in the Diamond Crest neighborhood, people are incredibly thankful no one was hurt.
"In talking with the residents, I don't see how they could have survived,” said Fullmer.
They’re also proud of the selflessness Smithville has displayed in the short two days since the near tragedy.
"There's no way we can thank everybody..... it makes ya wanna cry,” said Dena Smith, who was huddled inside the basement bathroom with her husband, Jerry, when the tornado leveled their home. Smith says the only thing that’s blown them away now is been the amount of help people have offered.
"This is where I'm supposed to be,” said Ken Wilson, Smithville resident and state representative who should currently be in Jefferson City, but chose to stay in town for the cleanup effort.
"These are my neighbors, my friends -- and look around, people have come together who don't even know one another,” he said.
Wilson told 41 Action News that he, and everyone working with him, aren’t going anywhere until the neighborhood is cleaned up and people have beds to sleep in.
"When we're done here we're going to the next one … And we're here until it's done,” he said.
Some estimate at least $1 million in damages in Smithville from Monday’s tornado. But in return has been the priceless help from locals who are happy to prove that even when you lose everything, you might just gain something more.
"This is Smithville and this is how we help our neighbors,” said Fullmer.
The Smithville Kiwanis club has started a victim's fund. If you would like to volunteer with the cleanup, you are encouraged to email Smithville.Tornado@smithvilleMO.org.
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Josh Helmuth can be reached at josh.helmuth@kshb.com
